Hayes (Pictured, file photo), who is currently signed with
Bellator, has been forced to withdraw from the Saturday night bout
due to his contractual obligations with the Chicago-based
company.

“No one should sign with Bellator,” the colorful McCorkle told
Sherdog.com. “They will give you verbal permission and no written
permission when it’s time to fight. I know Hayes didn’t want to
pull out of the fight.”

CFA CEO Jorge de la Noval placed no blame on Bellator, but rather
on Hayes’ management.

“Bellator is just protecting their real estate,” de la Noval
explained. “His management is not doing a good job with him. How
are you going to lock a client into a multi-year contract with no
guarantees of a fight any time in the near future? ... Bellator
hasn’t given him a fight for 10 months. How is he supposed to
provide for his family?”

Stepping in for Hayes will be Rochester, Minn.’s Cameron
Befort, who carries a 6-3 pro MMA mark with four straight
wins.

“I took the fight on a week’s notice,” Befort told the assembled
press. “Actions speak louder than words and I will upset
McCorkle.”

The show’s co-headlining lightweights, “The Ultimate Fighter”
Season 8 winner Efrain
Escudero and unbeaten local Mike Rio, had
nothing but compliments for one another.

“We’re both game fighters, and I know this is going to be ‘Fight of
the Night,’” Rio proclaimed.

“We both love to do it. We’re gonna have a great time,” Escudero
added.

The lightweight division will play a prominent role on the card
elsewhere, as CFA will begin its 155-pound championship tournament
with eight up-and-coming lightweights.